Emily Dickinson

Bloom's Modern Critical Views

by Harold Bloom (Editor)

-- Brings together the best criticism on the most widely read poets, novelists, and playwrights
-- Presents complex critical portraits of the most influential writers in the English-speaking world -- from the English medievalists to contemporary writers

Genres: Poetry

216 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1985

About the author

Harold Bloom was an American literary critic and the Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale University. In 2017, Bloom was called "probably the most famous literary critic in the English-speaking world." After publishing his first book in 1959, Bloom wrote more than 50 books, including over 40 books of literary criticism, several books discussing religion, and one novel. He edited hundreds of anthologies concerning numerous literary and philosophical figures for the Chelsea House publishing firm. Bloom's books have been translated into more than 40 languages. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1995.
Bloom was a defender of the traditional Western canon at a time when literature departments were focusing on what he derided as the "school of resentment" (multiculturalists, feminists, Marxists, and others). He was educated at Yale University, the University of Cambridge, and Cornell University.

Reviews

[Kusu · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire ever can warm me I know that is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry. These are the only way I know it. Is there any other way.” This could be William Blake in delirium, or Sylvia Plath , but not the “Belle of Amherst,” as she once jokingly called herself, Emily Dickinson (1830–1886).

Just Wow!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, professor Bloom, why must you reduce the imagination of Dickinson to a mathematical study? So your right. So what?

Five stars because the literary analysis is near perfect. Damnit.

[Jimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting book that I was hoping would give me more insight into Emily Dickinson's work and person. It kind of did that, but, like theology, critical analysis in poetry forgets the person for the work. The book gave a decent overview, but the articles the author chose repeated themselves a lot. Not to mention they didn't really appreciate the era she grew up in. Barely any mention of Emily having to take care of her sick, depressed mother for most of her young adulthood. Of course that would have a huge impact and yet it is glided over. Instead the focus is on a supposed jilted lover and on a potential lesbianism. Good job putting your own social context on the subject studied.

[Hiromichi Chiba · Rating 5 out of 5]

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